Rummenigge has backed Clement's desire to be a No.1 (Image: Bayern/Getty)

Clement only reunited with Ancelotti at Bayern after his ill-fated stint at Derby last season. He and the Italian had previously worked together at Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid - where they won the 2014 Champions League.

However his desire to be a No.1 was always likely to come to the fore sooner rather than later, with the 44-year-old keen to set the record straight after being ditched last February - despite the Rams then sitting fifth in the Championship table.

On Monday, Bayern handed the Englishman permission to begin official negotiations and Rummenigge says the club had no intention of stopping his ascension to being a No.1 again.

“We have experienced Paul as a professional, loyal and competent coach," declared Rummenigge on Tuesday.

"We did not want to stand in his way of becoming a manager in the Premier League.